By SANDRA MWILA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says newly elected Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Andrew Kamanga is a competent administrator whose love for football will help continue to grow the game.
The President said this when he congratulated Kamanga on his election, adding that Kalusha Bwalya will continue to hold a special place in the lives of the Zambian people for his contribution to the development of the game.
“Our heartfelt congratulations go to Mr Andrew Kamanga for his deserved victory as the new president of the Football Association of Zambia.
“Mr  Andrew Kamanga is a competent administrator and his love for football will help continue to grow the game. We also congratulate the new vice-president, Richard Kazala and all the members of the new committee,” President Lungu said on his official Facebook Page.
President Lungu said Kalusha has a special place in the lives of Zambians from his days as a player, as Africa’s Player-of-the-Year in 1988, and the role he played in rebuilding the team after the 1993 tragedy.
“Our good wishes also go to Kalusha who has done a fantastic job so far and contributed to the promotion and growth of football in Zambia as a player, coach, and administrator.
“God saved Kalusha’s life when he missed that fateful flight which resulted in that fatal crash where Zambia lost its entire national soccer team. His life was spared to continue helping our journey towards great football. And this was evident when we as a country, lifted the 2012 Africa Cup.
“To Mr Andrew Kamanga and his entire committee, let football win, let the glory of our national team and the entire soccer development continue to rise,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Vincent Mwale said it was now time for Kamanga to implement his manifesto and Government was ready to work with him and take the game forward.
“The people have spoken, at the end of the day, football should be the winner. Obviously, he (Kamanga) had a good message and now it’s time to put manifesto to the ground. Government is ready to work with Kamanga and we hope he will put his expertise and knowledge to practice for the development of football.
“Special thanks to Kalusha Bwalya for not only successfully leading the football family in the country under his two terms of office as FAZ President, but also for ably and diligently representing Zambia at higher levels of football such as CAF and FIFA.
“The Government appreciates all your good work you have done for mother Zambia individually and collectively with the committee you led, and we can only wish you the best in your future endeavours,” Mwale said.